Ten years ago, Ted Tempany tied flagging tape through Diamond Head along a line he hoped would one day play host to mountain bikes. Today, it's coming true.
With financial backing from the energy-drink company, Red Bull Canada, and Anthill Films, the man who helped create Squamish's most famous mountain bike trail - Half Nelson - is extending it.
"It's kind of been a dream of mine for a long time," Tempany said.
So far the expanded route continues a kilometre up from the current jump trail. Tempany, the owner of Dream Wizards Events, is also waiting on an application with the province to take the trail up into Garibaldi Park.
The new trail has been built to the same standard as Half Nelson, he said, which opened in 2010. Approximately 67,000 riders zip down that route annually. Even with the heavy traffic, Tempany says he's only had to do four days of maintenance work on it in the past two years.
Full Nelson, the name given to the new trail, will be similar to its counterpart. It will be rollable for beginners, but aimed at intermediate and expert riders, Tempany said.
"It's kind of the next step beyond Half Nelson," he said.
Currently the trail is being used by Anthill to film Red Bull sponsored rider, Squamish's Brendon Semenuk.
A mountain biker himself, 13 years ago Tempany moved to Squamish from Whistler. He has built trails across the planet for some of the best riders in the world. But designing routes in his own backyard is one of his favourite things to do.
"I think Squamish is starting to touch on the potential we have here in terms of trails," he said.
Squamish is a designation spot for mountain bikers in the Sea to Sky Corridor and its reputation is now reaching further afield, Tempany said. Pulling into the parking lot at the foot of Half Nelson, this picture becomes clear, he noted. On any given weekend, one sees licence plates from across North America.
"It has been overwhelming, the response," Tempany said.
An opening for Full Nelson will be held on Saturday, May 5. Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association vice-president Cliff Miller will be there with his barbeque, as well as Red Bull sponsored riders and a DJ.
